An Ancient Reunion

The sun burned brightly over the sky of Ponyville, which shone even more brilliantly against the Castle of Friendship; a crystalline palace that rested where once a great tree had stood. Doing her morning papers, Princess Twilight sat in her study. Numerous books and papers floated about her, almost flapping like birds as they moved about her head. At least half a dozen quills were busy writing about the numerous papers, all in a day’s work for a Princess.

To anyone else, it would be too much, but Twilight loved every moment of it. She felt like this was her way to better serve Equestria. Battle monsters, defeating evil forces, or even solving friendship problems were plenty of ways to help out, but at the end of the day, it was the bureaucracy, the paperwork that truly made Equestria function. Twilight couldn’t get enough of it, even developing new spells that allowed her to split her focus nearly half a dozen times at once.

Since taking her station, Twilight had fully delved into her duties and responsibilities; doubly or even triply so since founding her school. Treaties, contracts, pacts, and deals that were forged, written, and signed by numerous kingdoms were to be properly categorized, reviewed, and routinely updated. Now that the first couple years of the school have been more of a success than she had ever believed, so now she had to expand on it. Hire new professors, open the door to more students from foreign kingdoms, and most importantly, secure the funding for the school.

“Let’s see…this works…this works…this works…this needs reviewing…I can’t approve this yet…this is too expensive…” Twilight pondered aloud, looking faster and faster through the papers. “Okay, so there’s a holiday coming in Griffonstone, I’ll need to send the griffon students home soon…not to mention the yaks want to send more students, but I don’t think I have more durable chairs for them yet…”

As she was reaching the end of her papers, the magical crackling of a teleportation caused her ears to perk up. Looking up, a magically sent scroll floated in front of her. Seeing the emblem of Celestia, Twilight’s eyes lit up as she brushed aside her work to take the scroll. Opening it, she poured over the message, her eyes darted from side to side as she rapidly read it.

“Oh my!” Twilight gasped as she finished the letter. “I need to get ready…like now!” Quickly, she rushed around the room, darting back and forth to try and get everything prepared for this meeting to come. “I need this…this…this…oh! Maybe this!”

Rushing around, various items were magically flying through the air. A saddlebag, some scrolls, ink, pens, everything Twilight would normally bring to her meetings with Celestia. It didn’t take long for the Princess to take all this chaos and organize it into a proper storage before getting ready. But now for the next thing, how should she get there? Normally, the train would work, but this must be very important, so teleporting?

“Then again, the letter said tomorrow.” Twilight pondered aloud, rubbing her chin as she was trying to figure out what she could do next. “Hmmm, okay, maybe I’m going a little overboard. But maybe not! Maybe this is so important, she said tomorrow to be polite and she needs me now!”

“I think it’s fine.” Voiced the sound of Spike, who had been relaxing in one of the chairs, merrily eating some choice gems. “I mean, come on. If it was so important, she’d say something like ‘come now’ or something.” Munching on another gem, he continued. “If it says tomorrow, then go tomorrow.”

“I…okay, okay, you’re right.” Twilight sighed, putting down her saddle bag. “But it doesn’t say what time tomorrow. So if I take the train, I can be there by tomorrow if I take the last train.” Spike facepalmed, rubbing his temples for a moment before eating another gem.

“Look, Twilight, don’t worry about it.” Spike reassured his friend and surrogate sister. “You have mountains of papers to go through, today. And I’m sure if Princess Celestia said tomorrow, then she means tomorrow.”

“You’re…you’re right, I know you’re right.” Twilight sighed, her wings going down in some sadness. “Alright, alright. Let’s just…finish the paperwork.” Sitting back at the table, she picked up doing her paperwork. “Well, this’ll just motivate me to get through these faster!” Spike only sighed, playfully rolling his eyes as he continued munching on his gems.

The next day, Twilight wasted no time. Raising her horn, she teleported herself to Canterlot. More accurately, right outside the castle, the grounds didn’t allow magical movement in and out of the palace itself. As soon as she arrived, Twilight moved quickly into the castle, and through the halls. The letter didn’t mention an exact meeting place, but there were no doubts that the Princesses were in the throne room.

Walking into the throne room, the princesses sat in their thrones as if waiting there all night for her. Celestia seemed a little tired, even yawning a little, though Luna maintained her composure. As well as this, there were almost no other ponies there, as if the guards and servants were asked to give the three of them some privacy for this conversation. All in all, it looked very suspicious, but Twilight said nothing. She waited for the Princesses to speak first.

“Thank you for coming, Twilight.” Celestia greeted her student with a warm smile. Twilight smiled and nodded, greeting her back as she spoke. "You know why I want to tell you the news face-to-face, right?" There was an air of seriousness in her voice.

"No, Why?” Twilight asked, looking a little worried. “Did something weird happen to Equestria, or was it something personal?" The mare’s voice sounded a little more worried; almost like a panic. Typical of her, she tended to quickly overthink about things whenever Celestia called her over. “Whatever it is, I’m ready for it.”

"There's no danger, so calm yourself my student, but It might be both.” Celestia explained, taking a deep breath. “You see in the Tale of the Two Sisters, there is something missing in that tale.” Twilight’s eyes went wide, curious as to what the Princess was going to say. “When I was writing that tale, it was describing only me and my sister.” There was a growing sorrow in her voice, but she continued to explain. “To be honest there is more to this story than you might think."

“What do you mean, Princess Celestia?” Twilight asked, her curiosity bubbling. “I’m sorry, but I…I don’t understand.” She had known Princess Celestia for many years now, and had never seen her so sad. “Please, take your time.”

“Well, you see, there are additional alicorns to this story.” Celestia said as Twilight looked at Luna. “This version of the story was only kept between me and my sister until now.”

“What about you, Princess Luna?” Twilight asked, unable to look away from Luna. “Did you know about this even when you turned evil and banished to the moon?”

“Yes, I still remember it well, even though I was in that state." Princess Luna replied, crossing her arms a little; shivering slightly. It was often painful, and embarrassing, to think of what she was like when she was corrupted and evil. “Even now, I can still remember it.”

“You see back in the ancient alicorn kingdom of Skyros, there were also two alicorn brothers, the oldest, Messis, and the youngest, Solstitio.” Celestia explained, pausing for a moment as she was detailing the past. “Unlike us, the royal sisters and our mastery of the sun and moon, these two brothers held mastery over the changing of the seasons.” Her voice sank a little, as the painful memory flooded more and more into her mind. “There was a time when the two brothers struggled to control the strange weather patterns and the nature associated with the seasons they represent.”

“If…I’m sorry, this is just a lot to take in.” Twilight commented, shaking her head a little. “I…I just never knew. There’s no history of any of this.” Her mind raced faster and faster, trying to figure out some way to accept all of this. This wasn’t some misprint in a textbook, this was lost and forgotten history. “Why wasn’t this written down?”

“This was intentional.” Luna explained, sighing a little. “It was a different time, and both of us decided to keep it more or less hidden away.” Gesturing to Celestia, she nodded. “Please, sister, continue.” It was clear that she wasn’t exactly keen on sharing this information, but it was too late now.

“They tried to rein in the chaos, but It was too late, and one by one the brothers were trapped in prisons that were associated with their roles.” Celestia continued, her voice becoming more and more sorrowful as she spoke. “Messis was trapped in a prison of hardened tree sap, representing the spring and summer, and Solstitio in a prison of ice, representing the autumn and winter.”

“So, Celestia, why did you have to wait until now to tell me all this?” Twilight asked after she gasped in shock. “Did something make you want to share this story with me?” For a moment, she tried to figure out what the Princess was trying to tell her. “Wait…are we in danger? Is something going to happen?”

“Oh, no, no, no, nothing like that.” Luna commented, waving her hoof back and forth. “But please, let my sister continue.” While she often admired Twilight’s determination to get to the point, now was not the time.

“Well, the feeling of loneliness during Hearts and Hooves Day made me want to express my emotions here today.” Celestia replied, sighing heavily. “It’s been a while since we last saw them and we are not sure when they will come back to us."

“Were you two connected to them somehow?” Twilight asked. “Like…was it a friendly relationship?” The look on Celestia’s face made her raise a curious eyebrow. “Or was it something more? Oh! I’m sorry, I shouldn’t pry into that, I’m sorry.”

“Well, we were friends with them. Their parents would visit ours and bring them along so we would have company.” Luna explained with a fond expression, almost blushing a little. “We would often play tag, hide and seek, or just shoot the breeze and entertain ourselves with our abilities. We were the best of friends and nothing further than that.” A small sigh escaped her lips as she reminisced. “We developed feelings for them, but didn't want to jeopardize our friendship by telling them.”

“So do you still know where they were trapped?" Twilight asked. “Maybe there’s a way we can free them?” A look of excitement and curiosity grew across her face. “Maybe we can save them from their centuries of imprisonment?”

“Well, we know where they are currently trapped, but the substances they are in are unnatural; not even the sun's warmth can do.” Celestia replied, her eyes fluttering a little bit as she spoke. “The substances were strengthened by an unknown type of magic." She let out a small and saddened sigh. “Alas, we have spent decades and decades working to undo the magic that binds them. Sadly, all have failed.”

“But there has to be something we could do to free them?” Twilight commented, some hope shone in her voice. “I mean, you two wouldn’t be telling me about these two without there being some hope…right?” Her voice was rippling with hopefulness, she was certain there was some solution to this situation.

“So one of the ways we could do this is to go to the Everfree Forest, around the Castle of the Two Sisters.” Luna commented, rubbing her chin. Looking over to Celestia, she could tell she was thinking of a solution as well. “When you get there, find out the magic that strengthens these solids and research how to counter it."
“Are you perhaps thinking of the Tree of Harmony?” Celestia asked, to which Luna nodded. “It is true, the Tree holds a magic we do not fully understand, but we cannot rely on mere speculation and hope.”

“Well, last time I checked, the Elements of Harmony have managed to defeat the most vile and wicked foes in Equestria on just speculation and hope.” Luna replied, glancing back to Twilight with a smile. “Besides, if anyone can rescue our ancient allies, it would be here.”

“Be that as it may, I still feel this may be too challenging for Twilight.” Celestia explained, looking at her former student with nervous eyes. “I know I have asked many of you in the past, but this is…this is a lot to ask.”

“I know, and I understand Princess.” Twilight replied, bowing her head respectfully. “But I’ve learned through my years and studies, that nothing is impossible through the magic and power of Friendship.” She was practically beaming with confidence, making the royal sisters smile calmly.

“If you truly think this is something you can accomplish.” Celestia replied, looking at the mare with some growing hope. “I will put my faith in you.”

“As will I.” Luna added, rubbing her chin for a moment. “Twilight, if you could give my sister and I a moment alone. We have some things to discuss.”

“Of course, I don’t mind.” Twilight replied with a smile. “I’ll be in the library, studying what esoteric magic is. Even if it’s a little, surely anything can be of use for this.”

Bowing her head, Twilight left the room, letting the Princesses sit in silence for several minutes. It was a little awkward, but perhaps there was some hope to be had in this. But still, the two mares only sat there, their minds filled with different memories of the alicorns. They thought of Messis and Solstitio, how the two would play together, and what it was like to be with them. It was a friendship that may have become more, but the cruelty of fate stole these stallions from them.

“Tell me, Luna.” Celestia asked, her sighing breath and voice breaking the minutes of silence. “Are you truly certain that Twilight can recover them? You think she is able to free Messis and Solstitio?”

“I want to believe, yes.” Luna replied, her voice was spoken with a blunt, directness. “I want to believe that she can do this. You have prepared her for many occasions, and she has defeated more than her fair share of foes.”

“But this is something she has never done before!” Celestia snapped, only to compose herself sheepishly. “Vanquishing foes, cleansing evil, battling monsters, or even solving the occasional friendship problem are one thing. But this…this is different.”

“I fail to see much of the difference.” Luna commented, looking over to the numerous stained glass windows that lined the walls of the throne room. “Your student had done more in her life than many of the heroes in myth and legend. If anyone can free them, she can.”

“I…I understand.” Celestia sighed, accepting her sister’s resolve. “I will put my trust and faith in Twilight. She has never failed me, and I know she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to.”

“Very good.” Luna nodded, feeling more content with her sister’s response. “For the time being, we should give Twilight everything she needs.” Getting up from her throne, she started to walk towards the door. “I shall take her to the library’s Restrictive Section. The ancient scrolls, tomes, and maps will be of far better use in her capable hooves.”

“Alright, and I shall return to my duties.” Celestia nodded, remaining in her seat as she watched Luna leave the room. Before her sister closed the door, she called out. “Good luck, sister.”

As she watched the door close, Celestia couldn’t help but feel a heaviness inside her. Her mind was still teeming with thoughts of the alicorn brothers. She missed their smiling faces, she missed the fun the four of them would have. It sent a small shiver down her spine as she longed to see her friends again. It had been so long and she needed to see them again. Not only to welcome back their ancient friends, but also the roles they filled.

Since their departure, the pegasi had to manage control over the weather and the seasonal changes. In fact, it was Cloudsdale’s sole purpose when it was first formed; though this historic truth has been lost to time and misinformation. Celestia wanted to see them, but she missed Messis and Solstitio. She knew that Luna felt the same, and part of her was envious at how well her sister could hold in her feelings.

Leaning back in her throne, she sighed sadly. But she still had the rest of the day’s duties ahead of her. Whatever journey this would take her former student on, whatever grand adventure Twilight and her friends would be on, Celestia had faith the young alicorn and her friends would be able to do this. And as the hope continued to fill her, she thought of where they were sealed away. Messis’ prison of hardened tree sap, residing deep in an ancient jungle to the far south. Solstitio’s prison of ice, located to the far icy tundras in the north.

“This will be a challenge, and one I can only hope you can accomplish.” Celestia muttered to herself aloud. “Twilight, if you can pull this off, if you can free Messis and Solstitio…” The mare couldn’t help but hum a little as she let her mind drift into the fantasy of such an event to happen. “My friends…I hope I can see you both again.”

Giving out one more sigh, Celestia rose from her throne. Luna was right, they should place their faith in Twilight. The Princess of Friendship had certainly done the impossible several times over, and so it would be foolish to underestimate her commitment and resolve. As well as this, sitting on her throne in worry wasn’t going to get anything done. Feeling a new sense of eagerness and peace, Celestia refocused herself on her daily duties. There was still plenty to do today.